Riverside Healthcare | The Journey | Fall 2024

2 RiversideHealthcare.org Know the signs of a stroke Face drooping. Ask the person to smile. Look for drooping on one side of the face. Arm weakness. Ask the person to raise both arms to the same height. One arm may drift downward or not raise at all. Speech. Ask the person to speak. Listen for slurred or incomprehensible speech. ● Nausea or vomiting. ● Sudden change of consciousness, such as fainting, confusion or seizures. ● Sudden loss of balance or coordination. ● Sudden, severe headache. ● Sudden trouble understanding simple statements. ● Sudden vision impairments, such as double vision. Time to call 911. When alerting emergency medical services, note the time symptoms started and other possible signs of stroke. F A S T Award-winning stroke care To learn more about strokes and what can help prevent them, scan the QR code. F.A.S.T. is a simple way to remember the main symptoms of a stroke. These symptoms can happen suddenly. F.A.S.T. stands for: A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the U.S. Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and calling 911 immediately can make a significant difference in treatment options and recovery outcomes. “Riverside is proud to be the only hospital in the area to provide advanced stroke care, including thrombectomy capabilities, right here in our community,” says Dr. Zakaria. “When a stroke strikes, lost time can mean lost brain function, so being able to provide brain-saving treatment as soon as possible is key.” In the event of a stroke, make sure you or a loved one is taken to Riverside’s Emergency Department. A stroke happens when blood cannot reach a part of the brain, which deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. “Recognizing the signs and immediately calling emergency services increases the chances of a successful recovery,” says Jehad Zakaria, MD, Riverside Neurosurgeon. Other symptoms of stroke may include:

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